Japan Open: Alcaraz marches into quarterfinals, hails "best physio in the world" after overcoming ankle issues
Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot in the 58th minute to net his 39th goal in World Cup qualifying matches, equalling the record held by Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz.
Alcaraz returns to action at this week's Cincinnati Open, where he can gain ground on the Serb and Italian Jannik Sinner.
Lando Norris can be crowned champion on Sunday but a win for Oscar Piastri would take the battle down to a final showdown in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
'Like any player he has weaknesses, but he's improving them all the time.'
The 2026 World Cup will kick off-on June 11 with joint-hosts Mexico playing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium - iconic venue of the 1970 and 1986 finals - followed by South Korea against a play-off winner after the complex draw was made on Friday.
Carlos Alcaraz is the first man to defend a championship in the California desert since Novak Djokovic won three straight between 2014-2016.
Brazil beat Senegal 2-0 in feisty friendly at the Emirates
Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday but McLaren's Lando Norris had one hand on the Formula One title after finishing second and stretching his lead over teammate Oscar Piastri to 30 points.
Delhi Toofans registered a commanding 3-0 win over defending champions Calicut Heroes in the Prime Volleyball League (PVL) in Hyderabad on Sunday.
Carlos Alcaraz dismantled Reilly Opelka in straight sets to reach the second round.
Sinner's retirement and world number one Alcaraz's withdrawal due to an ankle injury blows the draw wide open, with Djokovic in the hunt for a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai.
Italy captured a remarkable third consecutive Davis Cup title on Sunday with Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli winning their singles matches for a 2-0 triumph over Spain.
Six-times champions Spain edged past Germany 2-1 on Saturday to reach their first Davis Cup final since 2019 after their doubles pair of Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez clinched a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in the decisive match.
Just nine days after his loss to Fritz, which snapped his 13-match unbeaten streak, the world number one defeated the American 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets, capping an incredible debut at the ATP 500 event and securing his career-best 67th season win, continuing a dream season.
Jannik Sinner said he had to prioritise preparations for his Australian Open title defence.
Carlos Alcaraz will be backed to extend his winning run at the Grand Slams to 16 matches following triumphant French Open and Wimbledon campaigns.
Australian Alex de de Minaur advanced to the semi-finals, where he will face Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic also surpassed Rafael Nadal to make a record 77 Masters 1000 semi-final appearances.
Japan Open: Alcaraz survives ankle injury scare, advances to second round
Jannik Sinner began his bid to retain the ATP Finals title with a resounding 7-5, 6-1 win over injury-hit Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in their round-robin clash.
Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime reached the last four of the ATP Finals with a 6-4, 7-6(4) round-robin win over two-times winner Alexander Zverev on Friday and Jannik Sinner extended his indoor hardcourt unbeaten run by beating American Ben Shelton.
The two McLaren drivers were ruled out for excessive skid plank wear hours after the race had ended and the podium champagne been sprayed.
Meanwhile, Sumit Nagal was trailing in his second round men's singles match against Holger Rune of Denmark, when rain led to a suspension of the contest.
Sinner's coach Darren Cahill said the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion was suffering from a virus.
Portugal were forced to delay punching their World Cup ticket after being held to a 2-2 home draw by Hungary in Tuesday's qualifier
Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran on Thursday said he expects that a solution to the tariff issues with the US is likely to be arrived in the next eight to ten weeks.
Jannik Sinner beat Felix Auger-Aliassime to win the Paris Masters for the first time on Sunday.
Mumbai Meteors registered a 3-0 win in the Prime Volleyball League, defeating Delhi Toofans 15-12, 15-10, 15-11, in Hyderabad, on Wednesday.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland came back to haunt Borussia Dortmund with a clinical finish against his former team, while Phil Foden bagged a brilliant brace as the hosts cruised to a 4-1 win in the Champions League on Wednesday to climb to fourth.
Punjab FC stun Bengaluru FC 5-4 in penalty shootout to seal maiden Super Cup semi berth
Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open after top seed Jannik Sinner retired while trailing 5-0 in the first set of their final on Monday.
The first week of the Open (Jan 12-17) will also feature free entry for kids and nightly live music at Grand Slam Oval, with the main draw running January 18-February 1.
Tsitsipas made short work of Norwegian eighth seed Casper Ruud as he seized a third Monte Carlo Masters title in four years with a 6-1, 6-4 victory on Sunday.
He also overtook his career-best 65-season win tally of 2023 with this win.
On any other occasion, there would have been a build-up of excitement from cricket fans. But not this time.
United States President Donald Trump on Sunday raised tariffs on Canada by 10 per cent, over and above the already-imposed tariffs, due to the 'fraudulent' advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan that was broadcast during the MLB World Series.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals to ignite their charge on Tuesday.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner defeated Daniel Altmaier to avenge a loss two years ago at the French Open as he marched into the third round of the Shanghai Masters with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over the German.
President Trump announces 100% tariffs on movies made outside the US, potentially impacting the Indian film industry. The move follows similar tariffs on pharmaceutical products.
